Odisha Sanctions Rs 158 Cr For Chilika Lake Integrated Development

Surjit Kumar Dhal, Bhubaneswar, August 17: The State Wetlands Authority Saturday approved the integrated plans as well as sanctioned funds for the overall development of Odisha’s three major wetlands.

A high level meeting of the State Wetlands Authority was held today at the Lok Seba Bhawan (State Secretariat) here to discuss three main wetlands of Odisha– Chilika Lake, Bhitarakanika and Anshupa Lake.

The meeting, presided over by Forest & Environment Minister Bikram Kesari Arukha, discussed about the safety and security, conservation, integrated management and bio-diversity of the three wetlands and allocated funds for the development of the three wetlands and the people residing in the respective peripheral areas.

According to sources, a five-year integrated plan has been charted out for the development of Chilika Lake and a budgetary allocation of Rs 158 crore was approved.

The implementation will provide livelihood support to about 2 lakh fishermen residing in 151 villages around Chilika Lake, said the sources adding, that the environment of the lake will also be well protected.

Also a five-year integrated plan has been charted out for the development of Anshupa Lake and a budgetary allocation of Rs 21.23 crore was  approved.

This will benefit about 250 fishermen residing in the nearby two villages.

The meeting also approved a course of action for the Bhitarakanika area which will benefit over 2 lakh villagers of 410 villages along the 672 km long patch around it.